Looking for help with my worries….

[TracyBar 132]

Fantastic input and I appreciate very much that although your surgery and journey thus far has been positive, you support the practice of researching all aspects to make sure (as much as possible) that the surgery will be safe and appropriate based on pre-op health, mental state, etc. I don't have any health issues (other than being fat! ). The only way I would consider the surgery is if, between my GP and I, we decided that it would beneficial physically (and really mentally too - daily focus has been on weight most of my adult life). I don't want diabetes and feel that in my state I'm a prime candidate for it. I am SO reluctant to diet once again, as every single time I gained it back plus more resulting in my weight now. A new set-point every time so that my body worked to reach my newest all time high and surpassed it. Repeat, repeat. We all know the drill.... I'm in Canada and it's unlikely free surgery would be available to me in the near future. Wait times are long. Mexico is the other option but that in itself causes me nerves. Just the flight itself on my own after surgery is something to worry about - travelling alone 4 days post-op and not knowing how I'll feel gives me pause. I never thought about surgery for myself before - ever. Then my massage therapist told me she is saving to go to WLF in Mexico for the surgery. I was shocked - she looks pretty normal to me! It was days before I even considered it as an option for myself.

P.S. One of the best things I added to the mix was my decision to see a therapist to maximize my chances of success. I still see him once a month; he's been a big help.

How would you gauge your own psychological and physical state prior to surgery? Did you make an effort to get as fit as possible prior to surgery? For you, how was the pre-op diet? Did you feel well during it? And after the surgery - what did you feel like - pain? Difficulty swallowing? Any issues at all? Mental state after? And how did you manage on the liquid diet (is it 2 months?). Thanks!

Thanks, @@TracyBar .

Responding to your bolded comments (above):

How would you gauge your own psychological and physical state prior to surgery?

Extremely motivated! Determined! Goal-oriented!

Did you make an effort to get as fit as possible prior to surgery?

I did what I could, given I was 100 pounds heavier, very much "out of shape, and in arthritic pain. What made me nuts pre-op was that I wanted to get my show on the road ASAP. Yet all the hoops I had to jump through (insurance, psych eval, nutritionist's and physical therapy visits, etc.) were taking so long. So what I finally did was put myself on a 1400 calories/day diet. Like you, I was researching my butt off -- reading, studying, asking questions here on BP and on another gastric sleeve message board. I learned about all the eating behaviors (protein first, chew better, eat slower, small plates, no drinking with meals, etc. etc. etc. And I started eating and moving like I was a new bariatric patient. I stopped all sodas, reduced coffee, started taking Vitamins, bought a Fitbit, upped my daily steps. I've said elsewhere here that I felt like a kid on the playground with a Batman cape who thinks he's actually Batman. So, yes, I got "on board" before I boarded the train. FYI, I lost 11 pounds in 2 months on my own pre-pre-op diet.

For you, how was the pre-op diet? Did you feel well during it?

It seemed no different to me than any other low-calorie diet I'd ever been on. And I've been on dozens of them! Remember that I didn't go from eating heavily to the pre-op diet, but from 1,400 calories to the pre-op diet. I was on the doc's pre-op (liver-shrinking) diet for two weeks. The first week was two Protein shakes a day and a Lean Cuisine (or something like that) for dinner. The second week was three Protein Shakes a day. I felt a little icky the first three days and had a headache on Day Three. Thereafter, I just started feeling better. BTW, I lost 8 more pounds in that 2-week liver-shrinking diet.

And after the surgery - what did you feel like - pain? Difficulty swallowing? Any issues at all?

I fared pretty well. Was in the hospital only one night (standard op for my surgeon here in Missouri). I was on IV pain meds in the hospital, but came home with only liquid hydracodone, which I took only two doses of. It made me feel weird, so I stopped it. I didn't really have any pain after that.

Re difficulty swallowing -- yes, it was hard the first week to get in all my liquids. BTW, the sore, swollen throat thing is due to the hard plastic tube they put down your throat during surgery. I'd say two weeks post-op I was drinking pretty normally.

My program allowed us to drink Protein Shakes immediately after surgery. And I worked hard to get all my Protein in ASAP -- which I managed by Day Five post-op. My immediate post-op protein target was 60 grams/day.

BTW, some people have a hard time after surgery, but MOST people have a response much like mine. There's a recent thread around here called something like: "What's wrong? I'm not miserable immediately post-op!" You should try to find and read that thread -- it's sort of funny.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/372467-ok-i-have-to-askare-things-going-too-well-am-i-overdoing-it/

Mental state after?

On Day Three (second day home) I had my "WTF have I done?!" moment. It lasted about an hour. There were no tears -- it was just an hour of, "Jeez Louise! I actually allowed a surgeon to remove 85% of my stomach. This actually happened!" I certainly wasn't suffering from any delusion that I would never feel differently than I did at that moment. But it was just my time to align the *theory* and the *reality) of voluntarily giving up at least three-quarters of your stomach's maximum capacity.

Oh, and by the way -- immediately post-op your capacity is much less than what it will be later on. Immediately post-op your sleeve is swollen and inflamed from the trauma it's just been through. The first 3-6 months post-op is all about giving your new sleeve time and nutrition to heal and knit back together. That's one of the main reasons there are so many specific food phases post-op -- so you won't spring a leak.

And how did you manage on the liquid diet (is it 2 months?). Thanks!

Oh, hell, no! My surgeon's requirements were more like full liquids for two weeks. Then purees for a week or so. Then soft foods for a week or two. By Month Two I was on full foods -- mind you, I was chewing all my bites like a Swiss cow. By Month Three I was going out to restaurants. I was also bringing home a lot of food. Two years later, I still bring home a lot of food.

Later, I'll try to find and post here my one-year-surgiversary post -- what I did during Year One that I thought helped me reach my goal and go below it.

EDIT: Here's a link here on BP to my one-year-surgiversary post:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/361806-self-sabatoge/?hl=%2Bthang+%2Bverra+%2Bmudge#entry4088307

Having said all this there are NO GUARANTEES for anyone about what will work best for them or what their level of success will be. There are many individual differences. I'm fond of saying patients have to be willing to conduct a lot of "science" with a research sample of one -- themself. And then they have to have the courage to do with great consistency what works best for them.

Learning a ton from you I'll check out you links!

[Cindi_Augustine 102]

The program is in Richmond - I'm a Vancouverite, too! - and the surgery is done in Richmond General. The doctors are Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Sampath. http://www.rmbsurgery.com/our-team/ Great surgeons!

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[GinaCampbell 434]

Well Gina. This must be your hospital only that has this level of care. Which hospital is it? You don't have to go back for your cholecystectomy. You can choose where you have it done. That's patient choice. I suggest you contact their PALS service who can act on your behalf. Why on earth did you consent to surgery without all the information? The risks of surgery are normally written on your consent form. If they aren't then you need to ask why. Gallbladder problems post op are common and when I researched before I had surgery this came up as a common side effect. I was also told by my surgeon of many of the complications you have had.

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How could I know that I didn't have all of the information? How can a person know what they don't know?

I went in for a CT scan last night. While there, the scan nurse told me that yet another patient, a gastric bypass, was scanned earlier in the day. She had lost eight stone in six weeks because something was wrong.

So maybe complications are just high in my area? Let's hope so, but I doubt it.

As you work for the NHS, you are always going to defend it.

And no, my gallbladder is staying put. I will save up and go private.

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[TracyBar 132]

The program is in Richmond - I'm a Vancouverite, too! - and the surgery is done in Richmond General. The doctors are Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Sampath. http://www.rmbsurgery.com/our-team/ Great surgeons!

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I'll have to see what my doc says - never know, maybe we have something here in Calgary. I haven't researched enough about Canada and wait times, but I understand a person could wait up to 7+ years. A lot can happen in 7 years -

[chloe3.5 8]

I am 53 years old and had the sleeve done 22 months ago. i could not be happier,,,,i wont pull your leg at all its a real life style change . there are days i think wow, but I consider it the best thing I have ever done for me. I would recommend it....BUT.....I would not go to mexico to have it done, a sleeve frienf of mine went to mexico and was VERY sorry she went there. they dont have a clue about what they are doing. she came back to the states and within 24 hours had to go back into surgery for a leak and ended up havinng to have the gastric bypass,,,she nearly died. Please reconsider Mexico!!!

[TracyBar 132]

I am 53 years old and had the sleeve done 22 months ago. i could not be happier,,,,i wont pull your leg at all its a real life style change . there are days i think wow, but I consider it the best thing I have ever done for me. I would recommend it....BUT.....I would not go to Mexico to have it done, a sleeve frienf of mine went to mexico and was VERY sorry she went there. they dont have a clue about what they are doing. she came back to the states and within 24 hours had to go back into surgery for a leak and ended up havinng to have the gastric bypass,,,she nearly died. Please reconsider Mexico!!!

that's a very scary thing for sure. It's a difficult decision. I'd rather have it here at home in Canada. Wish it wasn't so long a wait...

[pattycarlson09@live.com 18]

Hi , I'm 53 and about 3 weeks out. I'm down 21 pounds and can't wait till next phase. I have had some nausea but bearable. I don't regret the surgery but it is hard for awhile. So sorry some have had such a hard time. I tried a lil bit of chicken and dumplings smashed up tonight, so far no problem ????